Automatic handling and hardness testing mechanism



June 2, 1953 R. L. SIEGGREEN 2,540,591

AUTOMATIC HANDLING AND HARDNESS TESTING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 10, 1950 INVENTOR. RICHARD L. SIEGGREEN ATTORN FYS June 2, 1953 R. L. SIEGGREEN 2,640,591

AUTOMATIC HANDLING AND HARDNESS TESTING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 10, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 i n9 I2] 97 I V 22 i "\m 126 PIE-:2

IN VEN TOR. RICHARD L.SIEGGREEN ATTORN EYS June 2, 1953 R. L. SIEGGREEN 2,640,591

AUTOMATIC HANDLING AND HARDNESS TESTING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 10, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. RICHARD L. SIEGGREEN BY Maggi? ATTO R N EYS June 1953 R. L. SIEGGREEN AUTOMATIC HANDLING AND HARDNESS TESTING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 10, 1950 mm E R MG m mm RICHARD L.

ATTOR N EYS June 2, 1953 R. L. SIEGGREEN 2,640,591

AUTOMATIC HANDLING AND HARDNESS TESTING MECHANISM snag Jan. 10., 1950 '1 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVHVTOR. RICHARD L. SIEGGREEN BY I Mag;

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC HANDLING AND HARDNESS TESTING MECHANISM Richard L. Sieggreen, Saginaw, Mich., assignor to Eaton Manufacturing Company,

Cleveland,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to hardness testing and more particularly to the automatic hardness testing of metallic articles or the like.

Broadly, the invention comprehends the provision of a mechanism for the automatic production handling and hardness testing of the cam contacting surfaces of engine tappets and incorporating therein mechanism for the rejection of tappets having hardness below a predetermined limit.

An object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism that can automatically, quickly, effectively, and economically hardness test articles requiring a predetermined limit of hardness.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatically operated mechanism for quickly and accurately hardness testing and sorting out from the articles tested those not having the desired hardness.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for automatically handling and hardness testing predetermined surfaces of articles so as to eliminate the possibility of errors caused by the human element and fatigue in the manual handling and testing of said articles while at the same time materially increasing output with a saving of labor.

A yet further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for automatically handling and hardness testing articles of a predetermined nature wherein all the operative parts thereof are either hydraulically or pneumatically actuated controlled in proper timed sequence to one another from a master electronic control system such that a positive consistent mode of testing within predetermined established limits of hardness is possible whereby the articles meeting hardness approval are ejected into one receptacle and the rejected articles are ejected into another receptacle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, forming a part of the specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an automatic handling and hardness testing mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational viewof the mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, cross-sectional View of the anvil or ram raising and lowering article supporting means for the mechanism of Fig. 1; s

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partly broken away view of a turntable indexing and article insertion mechanism forming a part of the mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary end plan view of an electrical micro-switch member associated with the hardness testing apparatus weight supporting lever;

Fig. 7 is a schematic layout of the electronic system for controlling the operation of solenoid actuated valves which control fluid flow for the operation of fluid operated mechanisms incorporated in the mechanism of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic layout of the electrical system for the solenoid valves and the hydraulic system to be controlled thereby.

This invention is premised on the provision of a mechanism which can automatically handle and hardness test predetermined portions of articles such as the cam contacting surfaces of engine tappets in a quick and easy manner and thus eliminate the possibilities of error caused by the human element and fatigue in the conventional manual handling and hardness testing thereof.

The mechanism as here devised comprises basically a hardness tester of the Rockwell type, although any well known form of hardness tester could be equally well adapted, a means for supporting the article to be tested in testing position, a turntable for receiving and moving the articles to be test-ed to the position of test and therebeyond after test, chute means or the like into which articles to be tested are manually deposited and from which they are delivered one by one for supply to the turntable, fluid operated means for simultaneously indexing the turntable and for moving the articles from the chute to the turntable and mechanism for sorting the tested articles into separately designated good and bad receptacles. The hardness tester, sorter and article testing support means are each fluid operated controlled by solenoid actuated valves operatively controlled by a master electronic system. The electronic system is controlled by appropriate manually actuated switches and automatically actuated micro-switches situated in the hardness testing mechanism at appropriate locatlons to establish the sequence time operation of the mechanism in accordance with events taking place in the testing cycle. One manual switch designated the pilot switch sets the mechanism into its normal cycle of operation and another manual switch designated a stop switch will stop the mechanism and instantly return it to its norlever member ll).

mal position. The micro-switches as here employed are four in number, one actuated upon the attainment of the minor load when an article is under test to stop the movement of the article supporting means, one for controlling the operation of the sorter when a soft article is detected, one for stopping the mechanism if an article of excessive length is encountered and one for limiting current coil operation as induced by the operation of the micro-switch for the sorter.

Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the invention Iii represents generally an automatic handling and hardness testingmechanism comprising basically a depth penetration hardness testing machine 2, a hopper or dispensing medium 4 for receiving the articles to be tested, a test position supporting stand 16, a turntable apparatus i8 for conveying the articles .to be tested from the hopper to the test supporting stand, and thence from there to a point'of final delivery and an apparatus It for sorting the tested articles in accordance with the test condition thereof, said machine, test, stand, turntable and sorting apparatus being controlled for the auto matic time related operation to one another to carryout the desired hardness checking of articles of a predetermined nature from amaster electronic system 20, a hydraulic system 22 and a pneumatic system 24.

The hardness testing machine 12 as disclosed by the drawings is of the Rockwell type although any hardness testing machine of a like nature could be equally well employed in the mechanism for accomplishing a like purpose. The hardness test- .ing machine l2 aroundwhich mechanism it evolves comprises a framework '26 including a base 28 and a head 39, said head 38' incorporating the hardness testing mechanism therein comprising a brale mechanism 32 supported for vertical sliding bearing supportedmovement in the head having a slender shaft 34 attached atone end, the extremity of which is adapted tov engage and move a lever.36 pivotally mounted in the head,

the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. A weight apparatus 38 is supported in head .39. comprising a lever member lfl supporting weights 32 .at its free end and another lever member .454 having linkage connection 48 with the lever member all intermediate its length for supporting same, lever member 44 of which isv normally held stationary and released for movement ;-by a cam mechanism 48, a cam 59 of which engages the underside 52 of the free end thereof. lhe lever members 46 and M are each pivoted at opposite ends on the head of framework 26 and extend in parallel horizontal relation to one another with lever member 44 disposed vertically about the The lever. member of which is linked to the lever member 44 is also held stationary by way of lever member 44 and upon release from its stationary position is adapted near .its free end to engage a collar 54 on the brale mechanism intermediate the diamond work testing end. 56 thereof and the free end of the shaft 34 effective to move the brale mechanisnr32 vertically downward.

The lever 36 which is actuated by the movement of the shaft 35. of brale mechanismBZ is engagea-ble near its free end on one side with a finger member 58 of a dial indicator hardness testing gauge 60 and on its opp site side a finger or button member $2 of a nucroeswitchfidhthe purpose of which willhereinafter appear.

The lever member 40 has mounted on its top side a switch engaging memberfifiadapted to end gage a finger or button member 68 of a microswitch lll when the weighted lever member 40 upon its release from its normally stationary position moves a predetermined distance corresponding to the depth penetration of the work engaging end of the brale mechanism.

The cam mechanism 58 which controls the supported positions of lever members 4t! and M is actuated by way of linkage connection '52 with a hydraulic pressure cylinder 14 mounted on the head of the hardness testing machine.

The test position supporting stand it is mounted in the base 28 of the hardness testing machine and comprises a central post member '15 supported in-bearing relation in a sleeve member 16 for vertical sliding axial non-rotative movement therein having a test article receiving and seating portionat its upper end. The sleeve member 16 is in turn mounted for axial vertical sliding movement in a sleeve member '13 secured in the base 28 of the hardness tester. The post member .15 is externally threaded intermediate its length at for threaded engagement with a rotary collar 82, said collar in turn bearing against the --end of sleeve "iii such that rotation of the collar 82 will aiiect an axial vertical non-rotative movement of the post member '15 and test article receiving and supporting portion thereof. With the collar 82 rotated to the desired height adjustment of post member [5 the post member is adapted to be moving axially conjointly with sleeve member 76 through the action of a ram member 8% engageable with the lower extremity of sleeve member '15, said ram being actuated from a hydraulic pressure cylinder 85 in a horizontal direction to effect a raising or lowering of sleeve member 15 and post member 15 as is required in the automatic operation of mechanism H3. The ram is tapered in form and is journalled for sliding movement in a bearing 86 supported in an axial extension of sleeve it such that angular sliding relation is had between an angular face 88 on sleeve '56 and an angular face 80 of the ram whereby upon horizontal movement of the ram, the sleeve i6 is moved vertically up and down depending on the phase of operation of the ram. The axis of movement of the post member 75 is made to coincide with that of the brale mechanism so that the article to be tested in being seated and supported in central post 75 can be brought into axial engagement with the-work engaging end of the brale.

The article hopper id or any other suitable mechanism for receiving the articles to be tested in quantity for the singular delivery thereof to a pre-selected position is mounted alongside the machine l2 permitting of the delivery of the article one by one to a point A from whence they.

are moved by appropriate pusher means 9! forming a part operably connected to a turntable indexing apparatus 92. The pusher means 9| is in the form of an arm 93 adapted to engage the external body of an article to be tested and push same from position A to position B in an arcuate channel section 95. extending substantially from the point B to the normal position of the paratus l8. The turntable is rotated in predetermined increments adapted to present a pocket 95 for receipt of one article in timed relation to the-pusher means Si by indexing apparatus-92,

said indexing apparatus and pusher means both being actuated from a hydraulic pressure cylinder 91. The indexing apparatus comprises a ratchet gear 98 securely mounted on the bottom of turntable 96 for rotation th ewithengageable with a cooperable ratchet pawl I00 for the appropriate rotation of the turntable, said pawl I 00 being conjointly connected with pusher arm 93 to the output shaft I62 of a piston, not shown, reciprocable under the influence of hydraulic fluid under pressure in cylinder 91. Resilient means I04 are provided engageable with the ears I06 of turntable 96 formed between the pockets 85 for positively maintaining the turntable in each indexed position. v

A combination guiding and height gauging mechanism I08 is provided consisting of two elements H0 and H2 respectively pivotally spring tensioned upon a common axis I I4, each element including an arcuate portion I I6 and an arm portion I I8. The elements I I I) and I I2 are each adapted to bear on the top extremity or upper face of the articles to be tested for the purpose of guiding the articles in their passage through the channel section 94 as moved by the turntable 96 and element I I2 is additionally adapted to be engageable with a micro-switch I I9 mounted above the element I I2 such that upon upward pivotal movement of element I I2 beyond a predetermined distance, as occasioned by an article of excessive height the upper face of the element I I2 will engage a leaf spring I20 forming a part of the switch which will upon a sufficient movement thereof contact a finger I2I of the switch to trip same, the purpose of which Will hereinafter appear.

In view of the necessity to automatically separate the acceptable hardness articles from those to be rejected, the sorting apparatus I3 is utilized. The sorting apparatus consists of a mechanism I22 having two chutes I24 and I26 respectively, the respective entrances I28 and I30 of which are adapted to be alternately associated with a chute I32 extending from the ejection point of the turntable to the entrances of the mechanism I22. The mechanism I22 is mounted for slidable movement adjacent the exit point of j chute I32 under the influence of pneumatic pressure delivered to an air cylinder I34, the piston propelled shaft I36 of which is coupled at its free end to the mechanism I22. The shifting control for the sorting apparatus is obtained through the operation of micro-switch 10, the operational control of which will be further defined in detail hereinafter.

The proper sequence control and, timing of the operable elements of the automatic hardness testing and handling mechanism I0 is obtained through the utilization 'of the electronic system 20 of which the micro-switches 64, and H9 form a part wherein the operational actuation of any one of the switches sets the system 20 into operation for the controlled delivery of electrical current as the case may be by Way of electrical circuit I40 for the operation singularly or condraulic fluid under pressure from the hydraulic system 22 for the delivery to hydraulic cylinders associated therewith by way of. a master hydraulic the pilot switch I68 is closed to thus energize the control valve mechanism I50 having the several solenoid controlled valves as a part thereof, an electric motor driven hydraulic pump I52 for supplying pressure fluid to the several hydraulic fluid cylinders 14,, 85 and Why way of valve mechanism I50, and an, oil'supply tank I54 for receiving the fluid discharged from valve I50 for replenishing pump I52.

An electrical circuit I56 is supplied electrical current as controlled by electronic system 20 by way of a step-down transformer for the operation of a solenoid I58 actuated air valve for controlling the flow of air under pressure in pneumatic system 22, said air being controlled for delivery to air cylinder I34.

The electronic system 20-comp'rises inaddition to the micro-switches 64, 10 and H9 primarily four interconnected'time delay circuits I60, I62, I64 and I66 for properly controlling the required time delay sequence of the various operative elements of mechanism I0, and a pilot control switch I68. A multiple of current relay coils and corresponding current relay points are included in the electronic system 20 and circuits I46 and I56 such as coil I10, sets of points I101,'c0rresponding to coil I10, one set of which forms part of circuit I40, coil I12, three sets of points I121 corresponding to coil I12, one set ofwhich forms part of time delay circuit I60 and another set of which forms part of electrical circuit I40, coil I 14 forming part of time delay circuit I60, two sets of points I141, corresponding to coil I14, one set of which forms part of time delay circuit. I62, and the other set of which forms part of circuit I40, coil I16 forming part of time delay circuit I62, corresponding sets oipoints I161, one set forming part of circuit I64 and the other sets forming part of circuit I40, coil I18, forming part of time delay circuit I64 corresponding sets of points I181, one set forming part of time delay circuit I66 and another set forming part of circuit I46, coil I forming part of time delay circuit I66, points I801 corresponding to coil I80 forming a part of time delay circuit I66.

A micro-switch I82 forming a part of circuit I56 is mounted on a slide I84 forthe chute mechanism I22 and has a finger or button member I86 adapted to be actuated upon movement of the piston shaft I36 by a member I88 attached thereto at one end limit of travel as propelled under the influence of air pressure delivered to cylinder I34. This switch limits the operational control of coil I80 so that during the stationary holding of chute I22 in the position of presenting chute I24 to chute I32 for the receipt of rejected articles it will not be unduly overheated.

In a normal operation of the mechanism I0 with the turntable carrying articles, such as tappets for which the mechanism was specifically designed, and having deposited a tappet I90 on the test article receiving and seating portion with the face I92 of the tappet facing upward in opposed relation to the brale of brale mechanism 32 and with the underside of the'head I94 of the tappet bearing on the upper portion of post 15,

electronic system for the operation thereof.

With the pilot switch I68 on and after a predetermined warm-up period, the cycle of operation of the mechanism begins with the energization of current relay coil I10 resulting in the closing of points I101, and the subsequent actuation of solenoid I42. Theactuation of solenoid I42 operates the valve'associated therewith to efiect a controlled flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure from hydraulic pump I52 by Way of master valve mechanism l50 whereby thefluid under pressure is supplied to cylinder resulting in the movement of ram- 84 connected to a piston rod I96 of a piston, not'shown, recip- 7 -iocably mounted in cylinder 85. ,As the. ram is .moved to the right in viewing the structure of .lFig. 3, the angula surface 90 thereof bears upon angular surface 88 "ofsleevemember ,I 6 suohas .to cause a, raising of sleeve; and post 15. .With I ,the raising of the post the tappet supported actuating the valve associated'therewith for the by-pass control of hydraulic pressure fluid to cylinder 85 1:or the purpose of stopping and hold- .ing the ram in its actuated position and solenoid I I46 actingto trip the valve associated therewith for the supply of hydraulic pressure 'fluid to .cylinderl l. I The supply of hydraulic pressure fluid to cylinder .14 results in the movement of linkage connection I2 attached to the piston, not shown, reciprocated therein and the actuation of the cam mechanism. 48 operated from the linkage .12 to releaselever 44, whereupon weighted lever .40 held by way of suitable linkage46 through lever 44 is free to move downwardly causing pivotal action of the lever 50 about its axis. The lever .40 with itsxfree. weight willmove a distance depending upon the depth of penetration .of thebrale into the face of the tappet being tested wherein the motion of the lever 40 is transmitted by collar. 54 to brale mechanism 32 resulting in forcing the brale to impinge upon the surface of the tappet face. If the tappet tested registers a predetermined desired hardness the mere operation of time delay circuit I60 will maintain the proper timed sequence of operation of events wherein upon the end of the time delay, current relay coil I14 thereof will be energized. The energization of coil I14 results in the closing of one relay set of points H 41, in circuit I82 and opening of points Il41,.in circuit I40 so as to-start time delay circuit I82 and simultaneously release the solenoid I 15 permitting of the reverse actuation of the piston reciprocable in cylinder 14 and theconnection l2 andcam mechanism 48 actuated thereby.

The reversal of operation of cam mechanism 40 from-its weight releasing position once again restores the lever and the weighted lever 44 to normal supported positions. Atthe conclusion of the time" delay period regulation of time delay ciiduitjlfii, current relay coil I76 becomes energized and operates by way of opening and closing the respective currentrelay points H61 in circuit I60 to release the hydraulic valvecontrolled positions of solenoids I42 and I 44 resulting in thelreturnof ram 34 to its normal retracted position underthe action of pressure fluid delivered to cylinder 85 for the reverse operation of. the piston reciprocable therein attached "toramv 04 by rod I96... Simultaneously with the energizing of current relay coil H6, time delay fcircuit 164 is placed inoperation providing for the actuation of solenoid I48 eifective to actuate the hydraulic valve associated therewith for .the delivery of pressure fluid to cylinder SIto reciprocate thepiston thereof for the ratchet indexin oftigrntable-SB. The indexing of the table serve to p a a w. tse 'tj e si i e .ivrissb quent hardness testing thereof while simultah neously moving the tested tappet from. the receiving and supporting post 15' and also moves along in channel 94.v tappets to be subsequently moved to test position. As the tested tappet, which we will assume'meets hardness specifications, is

moved from the test supporting post 15, itwill be ejected for delivery down chutes I32and I26 .for receipt in a receptacle, not shown.

At the .end of time delay circuit I 64 wherein current relay coil I10 becomes energized points I781 in circuit I40 will be opened resulting in the release of solenoid I48 for the subsequent reversal of operation of the valve thereof and ratchet pawl means I00 of the turntable mechanism. This actuation of the piston in cylinder B'Irevers- .ing movement of pawl IElilser'ves to actuate pusher delay circuit is energized whereupon at the termination of the time delay operation orcircuit I64 current relay coil its is energizing causing the energization of coil Ill) and the recycling operation of the mechanism.

Should a tappet under test be detected by. the hardness testing machine to be softer than desired resulting in themovement of lever40 to a position beyond the normal permissible depth penetration of the brale determining desired hardness the micro-switch It will be engaged by member 05 secured to lever 44 to cause a tripping thereof. As themicro-switch is actuated a current relay coil I81 associated in the circuit thereof will be placed in operation, thus affecting byway of the appropriate opening and closing of normally opened and closed points I911 corresponding thereto an operationof solenoid I58 and the valveactuated thereby to cause an air 'pressureoperation or chutemechanism I22 byway of pneumatic cylinder to aposition for therejection receipt of the soft tappet by way of chutes I32 and I24 into an appropriate receptacle adapted to receive the rejected tappets.

The chute mechanism will remain in the shifted position above defined until time delay circuit 1 66, which time controls the operation, is completed,

'at which time the chute mechanism will'be returned to its normal at rest position with chute I26 in position forthe receipt of tappets of acceptable hardness.

If in the course of testing, a tappet of excessive height is received in the turntable, that 'mightbe injurious to the brale if it were to pass to the point of test, the'element H2 is provided such that upon the pivotal movement thereof the micro-switch H9 is engaged'resulting in breaking the operating circuit for: the mechanism tothus automatically cause disruption of operation thereof until such time as the over-length tappet is removed and the mechanism is set back'into operation.

the several electrical circuits controlled thereby .it is to be observedthatupon the energization ,of a current. relay coil that all current relay points corresponding theretolwhich are normally open 175.

are closedand those normally closedare opened spective normally open and closed relay points [141.

While this invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments, the principle involved is susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention, therefore, is limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: g

l. Mechanism for the automatic hardness testing of the predetermined surface of articles comprising a hardness tester including an article penetrating member, weight supporting lever means interconnected with the penetrating member, fluid power means for controlling the imposition of the weight supported by the lever means on the penetrating member, a normally open electrical switch associated with the lever means, a normally open electrical switch associated with the penetrating member, means for receiving and.

conveying the articles to be tested in singular manner from a point of deposit thereon to a point of testing adjacent the penetrating member with the surface of the article to be tested in juxtaposition to the article contacting portion of the penetrating member, fluid power means for controlling the operation of the receiving and conveying means, means for receiving and supporting the article at its point of testing, fluid power means for actuating the article supporting means in a direction to move the surface of the article into and out of engagement with the article contacting portion of the penetrating member. means for sorting the tested articles according to their acceptance or rejection, fluid power means for actuating the sorting means, and an electrical current supplied circuit having the aforementioned switches and also a plurality of actuated valve means therein, one associated with each of the respective aforementioned power means, said valve means controlling the flow of pressure fluid to the fluid power means dependent upon the actuation of the electrical switches in the circuit for the predetermined desired sequence operation of the article penetrating member, the article receiving and conveying means, the article supporting means and the article sorting means.

2. Mechanism for the automatic hardness testing of the predetermined surface of articles comprising a hardness tester including a surface penetrating member, weight supporting lever means for actuating the penetrating member, means for supporting the lever means free from imposing the weight on the penetrating member, and fluid power means for controlling the lever supporting means, electrical switch means engageable by the penetrating member upon a predetermined movement thereof, another electrical switch means engageable upon an opposite predetermined movement of the penetrating member, means for receiving and conveying the articles to be tested from a point of deposit to apoint of ejection, means for lifting the articles one by one from the conveying means and supporting and moving same at the testing point into engagement with the penetrating member, fluid power means for actuating the conveying means, fluid power means for actuating the lifting means, means for sorting the ejected articles in accordance with the acceptance or the rejection thereof, fluid power means for actuating the sorting means, time operation controlling electrical circuit having the aforementioned electrical switches 10 l therein, "and a plurality of electrical solenoids in the circuit for controlling the actuation of fluid flow control valves, one associated with each fluid power actuating means.

3. Mechanism forthe automatic hardness testing of the predetermined surface of articlescomprising a hardness tester including a surface penetrating member, weight supporting lever means for actuating the penetrating member, means for supporting the lever means: free from imposing the weight on the penetrating member, and fluid power means. for controlling the lever supporting means, electrical switch means engageable by the penetrating member upon a predetermined movement thereof, another electrical switch means engageable upon an opposite predetermined movement of the penetrating member, means for receiving and conveying the articles to be testedfrom a point of deposit to a point of ejection, pivotal means engageable with the predetermined surface of the article to be tested intermediate the point of deposit and the point of test thereof as moved therebetween by the conveying means, and electrical switch means engageable by the pivotal means upon a predetermined movement thereof, means for lifting the articles one by one from the conveying means and supporting and moving same at the testing point into engagement with the penetrating member, fluid power means for actuating the conveying means, fluid power for actuating the lifting means, means for sorting the ejected articles in accordance with the acceptance or rejection thereof, fluid power means for actuating the sorting means, a time operation controlling electrical circuit having the aforementioned electrical switches therein, and a plurality of electrical solenoids in the circuit for controlling the actuation of fluid flow control valves, one associated with each fluidpower actuating means.

4. Mechanism for the'automatic hardness testing of the predetermined surface of metallic articles or the like comprising a hardness tester including a vertically reciprocable article surface penetrator freely permissibly movable a predetermined distance in one direction, lever means engageable with the penetrator for movement in the opposite direction to its freely permissible movement, weights carried by the lever means, and fluid power means for actuating the cam means, an electrical switch engageable by one end of the penetrator opposite from its article contacting end upon a predetermined movement of the penetrator in its freely permissible direction, an electrical switch engageable by the lever means upon movement of the penetrator beyond a predetermined distance in a direction induced by the imposition of the weighted lever means thereon, a turntable for receiving and conveying the articles to be tested from a point of deposit to a point of test and therebeyond to a point of ejection therefrom, fluid power means for, actuating the turntable, a chute means for sorting the articles ejected from the turntable in accordance with their acceptance vorrejection, fluid power means for actuating the chute means, means for receiving and lifting the articles to be tested at the point of test into engagement with the surface contacting end of the penetrator for the move ment thereof in one direction to have its opposite end actuate the electrical switch associated therewith, fluid power means for actuating the lifting means, a time operation controlling electrical system having the aforementioned switches therein, and a plurality of electrically operated sole- 11 noids in the system, at'least oneas'sociated with each fluid power means for controlling "the delivery of pressure fluid thereto, said switch ac-' eration of the nuid'pow'er'means of the'sorting means.

5. Mechanism for the automatic hardness testing of metallic articles and the like comprisinga hardness'tester including an article surface penetrator, weight means adapted to be imposed on" the penetrator for one directional movement thereof, a free connection between the penetrator' and the weighted meansin its other direction of movement, fluid. poweroperated means for imposing and removing the weighted means from the penetrator, an electrical switch actuated to closed position upon the predetermined movesurfaceof the'articles to be tested arranged'intermediate their point of deposit on the turntable and the point of testing, and an electrical switch actuated to open position by a predetermined ment of the penetrator in one direction, another electrical switch actuated to closed position upon the predetermined movement of the penetratorin its opposite direction, a turnable for receiving aricles to be tested and for conveying them to a testing point and therebeyond for ejection therefrom, fluid power operated pawl and ratchet means for rotating the turntable, means for receiving and lifting the articles to be tested atthe point of test into engagement with the article surface contacting endof the penetrator, fluid power operated. ram means for moving-the receiving and lifting means, fluid power operated means for sorting the acceptable and rejected articles tested from one another, fluid power for the several fluid power operated means, electrical solenoid actuated valves for the respective fluid power operated means, and an electrical current supplied system having the aforementioned switches and solenoids as parts thereof for the time sequence control of the various fluid power operated means.

8. Mechanism for the automatic hardness testing of metallic articles and the like comprising a hardness tester including an article surface penetrator, weight means adapted to be imposed on the penetrator for one directional movement thereof, a free connection between the penetrator and the weighted means in its other direction of movement, fluid power operated means for imposs a d emov n t ew iehted mea s from the penetrator, an electrical switch actuated to closed position upon the predetermined movement of the penetrator in one direction, another electrical switch actuated to closed position upon the predetermined movement of the penetrator in its opposite direction, a turntable for receiving articles to' be tested and for conveying them to a testing point and therebeyond for ejection therefrom, fluid power operated pawl and ratchet means for rotating the turntable, a channel memher for guarding the articles being conveyed by the turntable from their point of deposit to the point of test, pivotal means en'ga'geable with the pivotal movement of the pivotal means, means for receiving and lifting'the' articles to betested at the point of test into engagement'with the article" surface contacting end of the penetrator, fluid power operated ram means for moving the receiving and lifting means, fluid power operated means for sorting the acceptable andrejected articles tested from one'anoth'er, fluid power for the several fluid power operated means, electrical 1 solenoid actuated valves for the respective fluid power operated means, and an electrical current supplied system having the aforementioned switches and solenoids as part thereof for the time sequence control of'the various fluid power operated means.

'7. Mechanism forthe automatic handling and hardness testing of articles comprising a hardness tester including a weight controlled penetrator, means for receiving and conveying the articles to be tested, means for receiving and supporting each article at the point of testing and for moving said article vertically into contact with the penetrator, means for sorting the tested articles, and power operated means for actuating the sort. ing means, power operated means for actuating the receiving and conveying means, power operated means for actuating the receiving and sup porting means, power operated means permitting of the actuationof said penetrator andan electrical system for controlling the operation of the power operated means including apair of make and break switches selectively actuated by'the penetrator for, controlling the sorting means in accordance with the hardness of the articles tested, said power operated means for the receiving and conveying means, said penetrator and receiving and supporting means are all hydraulic operated means supplied with pressure hydraulic fluid from a commonpump source.

8.1Mechanism according to'claim 7 wherein each hydraulic power operated means is controlled by avalve actuated by solenoid meansprovided in the electrical system.

9. Mechanism according to claim 7 wherelni the power operated means for the sorting means is air operated and wherein a solenoid arranged in the electrical system actuates a valve which controls the flow of air in said power operated means.

RICHARD L; SIEGGREEN.

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